Time for New 'Capital Investments' ?

[mongers]

To pick up on what Josq said in another thread about needing to buy a new PC, it's price and timing of purchase, what products would it best to buy sooner rather than later in the light of the impending trump Trade Wars?

Personally, the house likely needs a new gas boiler, can't decide if it's worth getting a replacement now, or waiting out another winter or until the dust settles. My gut feelings is these are semi-tailored products that might be mainly 'made' in the UK.

E-bikes, plan for one in 3-4 years time, what will be the tariff induced price then??

So what are you considering and/or face a dilemma about?


Though others might just suggest, guns, military ration packs and gold buried in coffee tins.

[Grey Fox]

Gas boiler in 2025? In the UK? Get an heatpump.

[HVC]

Europeans use a lot of those tiny wall mounted boilers (especially apartments). I know there are electrical versions of those. Are there heat pump versions?

[crazy canuck]

Europeans use a lot of those tiny wall mounted boilers (especially apartments). I know there are electrical versions of those. Are there heat pump versions?

Yes, that is essentially what a heat pump is. Only electric, and can both cool and heat.

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

Y'all are assuming that mongers' boiler is for heating, and not for hot water.

[HVC]

Y'all are assuming that mongers' boiler is for heating, and not for hot water.

Here heat pumps are most commonly used for hot water tanks. For faucets and showers and such.

*edit* that is heat pumps are used for boilers most commonly. still too cold for most as a heating option. Although there are some more expensive options like Mitsubishi that work in colder outdoor temps. not trying to say that all boilers are commonly heat pump. I think in Ontario electric element is still the most common over all for boilers/hot water tanks.

[Grey Fox]

Y'all are assuming that mongers' boiler is for heating, and not for hot water.

That's true. If it's for water it makes sense, electricity is too slow to heat water on demand.

[Jacob]

I think the answer to that question differs based on your location.

For those of us outside the US, the obvious things to stock up on are items where the supply chains go through the US (especially if multiple times). Presumably (but maybe that's a bold assumption), things that are manufactured outside of the US, using non-US inputs will not see a massive increase in price.

Conversely, for folks in the US you'll want to get things that are produced outside the US and/ or relies on non-US inputs.

Personally, I bought a new laptop a few weeks ago on the assumption that electronics are probably going to increase in price (especially since sellers and manufacturers often treat Canada as part of the US market, so those supply and distribution chains are heavily intertwined).

[dist]

That's true. If it's for water it makes sense, electricity is too slow to heat water on demand.

You clearly have never been to France. Large electric boilers that heat water over time, usually at night when electricity is cheap, is the norm there.

edit: Heating is via electric radiators too, since we had cheap cheap nuclear power to fuel all these electric uses.

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

Here heat pumps are most commonly used for hot water tanks. For faucets and showers and such.

Wow, I was today years old when I found out heat-pump-based water heaters are a thing.

[Grey Fox]

That's true. If it's for water it makes sense, electricity is too slow to heat water on demand.

You clearly have never been to France. Large electric boilers that heat water over time, usually at night when electricity is cheap, is the norm there.

edit: Heating is via electric radiators too, since we had cheap cheap nuclear power to fuel all these electric uses.

Yes, slow. Gas based water heater can be on demand water heater. They heat instantly, no holding tank.

Dist, je suis Québécois. L'électricité au Québec coûte 50% du prix Francais. Toute est électrique ici.

[crazy canuck]

Here heat pumps are most commonly used for hot water tanks. For faucets and showers and such.

Wow, I was today years old when I found out heat-pump-based water heaters are a thing.

Me too. I have never heard of that.  In this province heat pumps are for heating and cooling a house.

[Grey Fox]

I've never seen one in real life but they're so cool. Very efficient like all heat pumps.

[dist]

Yes, slow. Gas based water heater can be on demand water heater. They heat instantly, no holding tank.

Dist, je suis Québécois. L'électricité au Québec coûte 50% du prix Francais. Toute est électrique ici.

Alors pourquoi dis-tu que c'est trop lent ? It's not too slow, it just takes the time that it needs

I've had both electric and gas water heaters. I find them both as practical. Only thing is that the electrical ones need to have a holding tank that fits the expected usage, otherwise you can end up with cold showers.

Also have had the tiny stupid one on top of a tap, in Germany, these makes no sense. You better off boiling water in a kettle.

[Josquius]

I would agree a heat pump is the option to explore if you plan on staying in your house.

The idea of a boiler with a holding tank... Reminds me of the old sort with the tank in the attic. Key to why mixing hot and cold supplies is a terrible idea.

One of the best rich people flexes are those third taps that give boiling water on demand and cost something mad like 10k to install.

I guess I should get my computer ASAP afterall if its only going to get worse.
My new job will require office days fairly locally so going to be looking back at an electric bike again at some point too. Same problems as last time with finding it difficult to bring myself to pay thousands for something and lack of confidence in the cheap ones.